Renault R-Space Lab rethinks the family car for life beyond transport
Renault’s R-Space Lab is not intended to preview a specific future model, yet it offers one of the clearest statements of where the brand believes the modern car is heading.
Share with friends
Conceived by Renault Group’s Futurama innovation laboratory, the concept explores the long‑standing idea of voitures à vivre, vehicles designed as adaptable living spaces rather than simple tools for getting from place to place.
The exterior sets the tone. A clean one-box silhouette prioritises space and visibility over sporty proportions, with a body measuring roughly 4.5 metres in length and just 1.5 metres in height. Slim pillars, frameless doors and a windscreen that blends into a fully glazed roof create an unusually airy atmosphere and blur the boundary between cabin and surroundings. It is a deliberate move to make the interior feel calm, open and larger than expected.
Inside, the focus is on reconfigurability and intuitive digital design. A curved openR panorama screen runs across the full width of the dashboard, bringing together driving information, assistance systems and media in one continuous display. Most functions are controlled via a central touchscreen laid out to feel as familiar as a smartphone, while steer-by-wire technology allows for a compact steering wheel that frees up space and improves forward visibility.
Clever packaging underpins the living space concept. Airbags are built into the seats rather than the dashboard, allowing for a multifunction glovebox that can double as a leg rest. The front passenger seat slides back to engage with rear occupants, and three identical rear seats can recline, fold or flip up to accommodate everything from bikes to pets.
Human-centred safety also plays a key role. Technologies under evaluation include a tactile alcohol detector and in-car artificial intelligence acting as a Safety Coach. Together, they hint at a future where Renault cars behave less like machines and more like supportive partners in daily life.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa officially opened Hyundai Midrand, a new dealership aimed at strengthening the brand’s presence in Gauteng and responding to growing customer demand in one of the province’s fastest-growing commercial corridors.
The compact SUV market in South Africa has gained a new contender with the arrival of the GAC Emzoom Nova. It joins the existing Emzoom Executive and Emzoom R‑Style models, broadening the range offered by Salvador Caetano South Africa, the official distributor of GAC Motor.
Chinese vehicle brand Changan has strengthened its South African retail presence with the opening of a new flagship dealership in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, as the company pushes ahead with plans to establish about 45 dealerships nationally during 2026.
A South African dealership has been instructed to remove or amend an advertisement for a new Jetour T2 after the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) ruled that the listing created the impression that a specific vehicle was immediately available for purchase when it was not.
If you were hoping to experience the roaring streets of the Isle of Man TT in 2026, you are already too late. This event, with practice sessions starting on 25 May 2026 and racing commencing on the 30th, requires at least six to twelve months of planning, along with a substantial budget.
Pinewood.AI has added two new embedded modules to its Business Intelligence Solution, giving dealers and OEMs greater insight into financial performance and the customer journey, it says.